Loving their gifted teacher, who makes them feel like the indignity of school is somehow worthwhile, three boys are dismayed when the teacher falls ill and leaves for the rest of the school year, a situation that compels them to share their stories while cutting class and journeying across town together on a fateful day.Call Number: J ANDERSON

Struggling with homesickness and guilt after moving with her family to New York so that her little brother can participate in a potentially lifesaving cancer trial, 11-year-old Thyme finds her efforts to acclimate shaped by new friends, a first crush and a crotchety neighbor's whistling bird.Call Number: J CONKLIN

A picture book introduction to the story of New York City's first subway describes how the city was challenged by overcrowding and pollution in the mid-19th century and how Alfred Ely Beach's underground train innovations met key infrastructure and transportation challenges.Call Number: J 388.4209747 COR

Relates the story of a basketball game in segregated 1944 North Carolina when a team from a white college played Coach John McLendon's North Carolina College of Negroes team.Call Number: J 796.323077 COY

In the year 241, twelve-year-old Lina finds part of an ancient message that she is sure holds a secret to save her underground city from ruin, but Lina and her friend Doon must decipher the message before the lights go out on Ember forever.Call Number: J/YA DUPRAU

In a remote area of Alaska, twelve-year-old Willow helps her father with their sled dogs when she is not at school, all the while unaware that the animals surrounding her carry the spirits of dead ancestors and friends who care for her.Call Number: J/YA FROST

An introduction to the life and creative achievements of NASA engineer and inventor Lonnie Johnson describes his childhood in a house full of siblings, the problem-solving talents that inspired his career and his accidental invention of the Super Soaker.Call Number: J 921 JOH

Having been born with a large facial tumor and undeveloped legs that could only be partially corrected despite extensive surgeries, the author describes the challenges that caused him to be bullied and compelled him to rise above his disabilities to enjoy shared times with his siblings, gain self-acceptance and pursue a writing career.Call Number: J 362.4092 HOG

Explains the origin of the "Recycled Orchestra," a group of children from Cateura, Paraguay that play instruments from recycled trash and perform concerts all over the world.Call Number: J 784.2060892 HOO

Hiding the truth about her inability to read from a highly motivated new teacher, Ally eventually discovers that her dyslexia is nothing to be ashamed of and gains new confidence as she finds alternative ways to learn.Call Number: J HUNT

A picture book portrait of the celebrated Supreme Court justice traces her achievements through the lens of her many famous acts of civil disagreement against inequality, unfair treatment and human rights injustice.Call Number: J 921 GIN

When her blind dog slips his collar, 12-year old Lily meets Salma Santiago, a young Hispanic girl whose migrant family are in Maine for the blueberry-picking season. Based partly on their mutual love of dogs, the two forge a friendship while painting bee boxes for Lily's grandfather.Call Number: J LORD

While working on a project for an after-school club, Julia Song, a Korean-American girl, and her friend Patrick learn not just about silkworms, but also about tolerance, prejudice, friendship, patience, and more.Call Number: J PARK

Did the Great Chicago Fire really start after a cow kicked over a lantern in a barn? Find out the truth in this addition to the What Was? series. This overview of a stupendous disaster not only covers the fire but explores the whole history of fire fighting.Call Number: J 977.311041 PAS

A portrait of the Mexican political cartoonist best known for his calavera animated skeleton depictions traces his life and artistic career while describing how his skeleton drawings have become synonymous with Mexico's Día de los Muertos festival.Call Number: J 921 POS